The
new home screen now includes buttons for the two most popular functions, “Can I
Bring my __________” and wait times so you don’t have to navigate to get to
them.

Streamlined
navigation with one icon in the top left of the screen.Just tap to see a menu of items on the
app.

For
TSA Pre✓™
users – airports with TSA Pre✓™ are identified with the TSA Pre✓™icon.If you tap the icon, a pop-up box will note what checkpoint to go to for
expedited screening and what airlines are operational with TSA Pre✓™ at that
airport.

The
app’s “Can I Bring my _________? ” feature enables you to type in a certain
item to see if it’s permitted by TSA. It has more than 3,500 items in the
database, many submitted by passengers. When using this feature on the
app, after you type the first three letters of the word, you’ll see a pop-up
menu of potential matches. Look for the item you want and click on it, or type
the whole word and you’ll get an answer. If you don’t get any options
that pop up or get the “Item Not Found” response, it could be because you
misspelled the word in the first three letters, or used unnecessary adjectives
or qualifiers with the item.

Here
are some tips to help you get the most out of the “Can I Bring.” tool:

If
you want to know if you can bring your knitting needles, you do not need to
type “my knitting needles,” or include the brand name of the knitting needles,
or how many knitting needles you are packing.Just type “knitting needles.” If you’re packing toys, just type in
“light saber” – no need for “my son’s light saber.”(This happens quite a bit, and it will result
in getting the “Item Not Found” response instead of the answer that light
sabers are allowed.)

For
liquids, you don’t have to type in the size of the container, such as “12 ounce
bottle of shampoo.”Just type “shampoo”
and the answer will explain the rule for packing liquids, aerosols and gels
tell you what you can bring through the checkpoint and what has to be packed in
a checked bag.

Get
the My TSA mobile app, available for iPhone on iTunes, Android on Google Play,
and for other smartphones at www.tsa.gov/mobile

33 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Will the app tell me why I have to remove my shoes in the US, but not have to remove them in other countries? The flights in other countries seem to be just as safe without any incidents. Why are we still removing our shoes in this country?

Can you check and tell me if this app is programmed to work fully on my BlackBerry Q10? I was able to view security wait times at DTW, so that is nice. The other links in the list did not seem to work when I clicked on them. Am I doing everything right?

I believe that can be a useful app, many passengers, including myself, have many travel/airport related questions as there are so many rules now days is impossible to keep up with it. Thanks for the app.

Why would anyone give the US gov't, especially a part of DHS known for invading the privacy of flyers and overreaching the mission assigned to them by Congress, access to his phone?

How often is the app updated? Will a screener accept it as the actual SOP when he tries to deny "allowed" items or will he claim it's out of date or "we do it different [sic] here!"?

Will it tell flyers what their rights are when faced by screeners who want to unnecessarily assault them or tear apart their luggage? Does it include a comment form so people can report good or bad behavior on the spot? How about a list of airports where flyers can go through metal detectors instead of having nude photos taken of them?

How accurate and specific is your screening wait times? I can get that information from my airport's website without having to install your app.

Sad how you praise your app while being condescending to potential users in the "Can I bring..." section. I hope your job doesn't involve writing training materials.

Also, you can try to rewrite history by using "light saber" as an "allowed" example, but we haven't forgotten how a child had a lightsaber toy seized by a screener, as well as when screeners recently tried to seize Peter Mayhew's lightsaber cane.

(BTW, it is spelled "lightsaber," not "light saber." If you want to play your games, at least spell the words right.)

Why would anyone give the US gov't, especially a part of DHS known for invading the privacy of flyers and overreaching the mission assigned to them by Congress, access to his phone?

How often is the app updated? Will a screener accept it as the actual SOP when he tries to deny "allowed" items or will he claim it's out of date or "we do it different [sic] here!"?

Will it tell flyers what their rights are when faced by screeners who want to unnecessarily assault them or tear apart their luggage? Does it include a comment form so people can report good or bad behavior on the spot? How about a list of airports where flyers can go through metal detectors instead of having nude photos taken of them?

How accurate and specific is your screening wait times? I can get that information from my airport's website without having to install your app.

Sad how you praise your app while being condescending to potential users in the "Can I bring..." section. I hope your job doesn't involve writing training materials.

Also, you can try to rewrite history by using "light saber" as an "allowed" example, but we haven't forgotten how a child had a lightsaber toy seized by a screener, as well as when screeners recently tried to seize Peter Mayhew's lightsaber cane.

(BTW, it is spelled "lightsaber," not "light saber." If you want to play your games, at least spell the words right.)

No way will I ever put your app on my phone. August 28, 2013 at 7:07 AM

We do not have a Blackberry app for MyTSA, but you should be able to use the mobile web version of the app and have most of the functionality, including the Can I Bring, Guide and wait times features. I have a different model than you, but I can use most of the tools on the app. It will look different, but it's functional. We'll check on our end to make sure everything is okay. We appreciate you letting us know.

Since you do seem to be able to answer some questions, could you please answer mine?

Why is over 100 mL liquid deodorant not OK, while stick is? You claim liquids are dangerous because you can´t tell if they aren´t explosives. How can you tell that the stick deodorant isn´t an explosive? Explosives can be solids too, after all (I know that)

I would greatly appreciate an answer, because I find it very hard to accept rules that make no sense to me.

Happy to answer your question. In 2006, TSA and other airport security agencies around the world enacted rules to limit the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on bags after The UK foild a plot to use liquid explosives on airplanes. Liquids in excess of 3.4 oz/100ml must be packed in a checked bag. To answer your question, roll-on and spray deodorant are liquids/aerosols, and fall under that rule. Stick, or solid, deodorant does not fall under the liquids rule, because it's not a liquid, gel or aerosol. You can pack stick deodorant in your carry-on bag without a size restriction. Hope this helps.

Happy to answer your question. In 2006, TSA and other airport security agencies around the world enacted rules to limit the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on bags after The UK foild a plot to use liquid explosives on airplanes. Liquids in excess of 3.4 oz/100ml must be packed in a checked bag. To answer your question, roll-on and spray deodorant are liquids/aerosols, and fall under that rule. Stick, or solid, deodorant does not fall under the liquids rule, because it's not a liquid, gel or aerosol. You can pack stick deodorant in your carry-on bag without a size restriction. Hope this helps.

I'm not the person who asked, but, first and foremost, you did not answer the question.

Also, about said liquids plot: A) it was foiled by good, old-fashioned, intelligence work, B) it was NOT viable, and C) for the above reasons, everywhere else has eased the restrictions, why hasn't TSA?

You did not answer my deodorant question (which was also not posted when I insisted on it a second time). You just restated that liquids are not OK over 100 mL, while stick deodorant is. I know that. I did not ask what the liquid rules are or when they were adopted. What I want to know is why this is so.

You claim you have to limit liquids because you don´t know if they are explosives. How do you know my stick deodorant isn´t an explosive? Or do you not believe that solids can ever be explosives? Again, why is the state of matter the point here, when explosives come in all states of matter?

I find it very hard to follow rules that make no sense. Please help me out here.

"Happy to answer your question. In 2006, TSA and other airport security agencies around the world enacted rules to limit the amount of liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on bags after The UK foild a plot to use liquid explosives on airplanes."

Now, now Lynn. You forgot to mention that the plotters didn't even have plane tickets, let alone liquid explosives, and that there's just no good science justifying your liquids policies. You also didn't mention that the US essentially forced other countries to comply with the liquid restrictions, or that the technology exists to screen larger liquids. You don't care about the tremendous inconveniences and health risks your stupidity has caused, all in the name of appearing to do something about an illusory threat. Shame on you.

I have a question. Does the app have (a) a comprehensive listing of the rules and regs governing interactions between TSA screeners and the general public; and (b) a electronic complaint and redress form? Also, (c) an electronic form for the D/deaf and HoH (hard of hearing) to request help from the TSA's airport ombsbudsman or customer services specialist required for special needs people and military at each airport. This is important as D/deaf and HoH can't easily use the toll-free telephone for talking with a live voice person.

The thing people seem to always forget about the "liquid thing" is that it is a world wide ban. America "forced" other countries to allow ANY kind of liquid into the checkpoint. It was originally a 100% ban! The reason stick deodorant is ok is because SOLID explosives need something to cause them to explode. They need a switch, power source, etc. Liquid explosives only need the other chemical compound to cause an explosion. SO yes, your stick deodorant COULD be an explosive, but the officers are looking for all bomb parts when solids are involved. There is no way to be 100% sure if the liquids are not a part of a chemical bomb. TSA could test all liquids, but then everyone would be on here complaining about how long everything takes!

First, the screeners could never discover if the mythical terrorist gang, the Stinky Petes, each brought either a solid explosive disguised as deodorant or one part of a detonator.

Second, as has been stated here by commenters over and over again, the liquid plot was never viable. So the ridiculous limitations are unneeded and wouldn't stop the other mythical terrorist gang, the Wet Terrorists, from bringing in lots of little bottles of chemicals and mixing them in one big bottle once through the screening area. Except they'd probably blow themselves up due to chemical instability or get run over by a unicorn.

To the TSAnonymous attempting to answer the solid deodorant question: First, read my comments to Lynn, as they apply to your non-answer as well. Second, take a chemistry class, as some solids react with other solids as easily as some liquids react with some other liquids

The TSA doesn't need to test all liquids. They could test when there is suspicion that the liquid is dangerous. They could also implement random liquid testing. It would be similar to what they do now with the metal detector. I've had the metal detector beep after I cleared it cleanly. The TSA swabbed my bag and sent my on my way. Both methods would allow people to carry additional liquids without substantially increasing risk.

The chances of dying on a plane are incredibly small and even less so at the hands of a terrorist. Most people reading this blog today took a larger risk driving to work or taking a shower.

I know it is popular to bad-mouth TSA, no one likes to have their personal effects examined or their loyalty questioned. As a frequent-flyer, I have had incidents. But in the last 18 months I have notice a large shift, for the better, in the demeanor of the TSOs.

I don't know what happened, but in the last 20+ flights I have taken the experience has been uneventful, and in some instances (BWI, ORD, DFW) downright pleasant. I was actually smiling as I put on my shoes, on a few occasions.

You are moving in the right direction, and we appreciate it! I just wanted you to know that many of us FFs have noticed.

The program's algorithm is too simple and basically is nothing but a simple word match program. For example if I want to know if frozen water is allowed, I would type in "Ice". Sound ligical, correct?Funny thing is, when I do that, you know where it sends me? To the section ontravelling with pets!Try it yourself.You know why? because under the section on pets, it talks about Police K-9s. Do you see the connection? The word Police has the letters I-C-E in it! Hence, type in ICE, get pet travel tips!

I am still waiting fro an answer on my previous stick versus liquid deodorant question. I would also like to know why my previous comment explaining the wrong concepts on the Aug 31st, 10:05 post. Censoring?

Will the app tell me why I have to remove my shoes in the US, but not have to remove them in other countries? The flights in other countries seem to be just as safe without any incidents. Why are we still removing our shoes in this country

To the TSAnonymous attempting to answer the solid deodorant question: First, read my comments to Lynn, as they apply to your non-answer as well. Second, take a chemistry class, as some solids react with other solids as easily as some liquids react with some other liquids